Apparatus for smoking meat.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. CHRISTOPHER SCHMITT, or New YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOFI SMOKING MEAT.

Patented Feb. 5, 1907.

Application filed October 20,1906- Serial No. 339,736.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHRISTOPHER SonMrr'r, a citizen of the United States, and a residentof the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Apparatus for Smoking Meat, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The purpose of the invemion is to provide a very simple, durable, and economic apparatus for smoking meat or similar articles, wherein the meat products are cooked and smoked with pure hot fumes and smoke of cedar and hickory chips.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide for a perfect COlllbUSllUn of the gas, and, further, to provide means for heating and for producing, smoke emircly independent of the chamber or compartment in which the articles are placed for smoking and cooking, thus preventing said articles from absorbin the odors peculiar to gas when burning, an also preventing the deposit ofcarbon on the products, which occurs at times under ordinary conditions.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide for a thorough commingling of the heat and the air, the regulation of the same, and the provision of a uniform temperature in 118 smoke-chain her.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide for the ready ignition of the chips and means for regulating the heat and the amount of smoke without opening the smoke-chamber, together with means whereby all the smoke can be exhausted from said chamber bel'ore opening the same to remove the cured articles.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several parts, as will he hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

, Reference is to he had to the accompanyingdrawings-forminga part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the ligu res.

' figure 1 is a cent. tl front elevation of the apparatus. Fig. 2 isa side elevation, a portion of the discharge-pipe bcingrbrokcn away and Fig. 3 is an enlarged SBUllUl] through the smoke and heat-producing chamber einployed.

air mixed with the The apparatus consists of two prime factors-a generator forsmoke and heat and a smoke-house or receptacle in which the material is placed to be cured, the generator being designated as A and the smoke-house or receptacle as B. Both of said parts A and B may be constructed of any suitable material. Usually, however, metal is employed, and the smoke-house section B is very much larger than the generator-section A, the latter being preferably located at one side of the former.

As is particularly shown in Fig. 3, a compartment A is constructed within the generator A for the IGCGPliOIl of the chips from which the smoke is to be produced, and the chips that are preferably employed are those from cedar and hickory Wood. The said compartment A comprises a bottom 10, which engages with the front wall of the generator and with the side walls, but does not extend to the rear wall, since a passageway is provided between the said rear wall of the generator and the rear wall of said compartment A. in addition to the bottom 10 the compartment is provided with a rear 1pright wall 11, said compartment being entirelv open at the top, and ample space is provided between the top portion of the said compartment A and. the upper portion oi the generator A. The said compartment A has its bottom and its rear wall provided with an asbestos covering 12, so as not to burn the walls of said compartment.

The generator A is provided with a rcmovable cover A, and at the central portion of said cover a by-pass C is scored in any s;,itable or approved manner. The cover A is counterbalanced with weights 13, which wei hts are secured to the ends of chains 14, said chains being passed over pulleys 15, secured to an overhead support, and are attached at their lower ends to the said cover A at each side of its center, as is best shown in Fig. 2.

In consequence of the cover A bei capable of movement to and from the bo y of the generator, the hy-pass C is constructed in two or more sections, usually two sections, as illustrated--namcly, a lower section 16, which is attached directly to t e cover, and an upper section 17, into which the lower section telescopes, the upper section being provided with a horizontal branch 18, that leads I generator and connects with a pilot-burner to and connects with a smoke-otl'take pipe 19, that is connected with the central upper portion of the apartment of the smoke-house or receptacle 3, since by reference the said smoke-house or receptac e contains but a single apartment.

A damper 30, of an approved type, is located in the lower section 16 of the b -pass (1, and a conducting-pipe 21 is carrier from the back of the generator A into the bottom portion of the smoke-house or receptacle B, as is best shown in Fig. 1. Said conductingpipe 21 within said smoke-house or receptacle B is provided with series of a ertures 22 for the exit of smoke, being usuall; closed at its inner end. Furthermore, said conducting-pipe 21 is provided with a damper 23, exteriorly located, so that it is readily accessible when needed. At the bottom of the smoke-house or receptacle B ventilators 24 are constructed opposite theconducting pipe 21, said ventilators being utilized when it is desired to drive the smoke out from the smoke-house or receptacle, at which time said ventilators are opened, and the damper 23 in the eomlueting-pi w 21 is closed, the damper 20 in the by-pass being open.

In the construction of the smoke-house or receptacle ll two doors 25 are usually provided for it at what may be termed the lront portion of said smoke-house, the doors by reference extending from the top to a point lielow the center, and said doors when opened fully uncover that portion of the hopse or receptacle B at which they are located. The customary rods 26 are located in the smokeapartment of the house or receptacle ll, from which rods the material .27 to be cured or smoked is si'spended, and at the top portion ol said ho se or receptacle a gage 28 is located, having comm. nication with the interior of the smoke-home or receptacle, whereby to determine the degree of heat therein.

A pipe 29, connected with any so rce of gas-supply, is led down to the generator A and at its upper portion is provided with a valve till, controlled by a thermostat 31, that extends within the smoke-apartment of the smoke-house or receptacle ll, as is shown in Fig. 1, so that the s pply of gas is txrned on or slrlt oll', according to the heat in said apartment. Th lower end of the gas-s: pply pipe 20 is connected with a branch sr-pplypipe 32, that leads along a side of the generator A, as is shown best in Fig. 1, and bxrners 34, contained within the generator and located below the chip-compartment A, are connected with said branch pipe 32. Where the said burners and said branch pipe 32 connect, valves 33 are located. Another branch ipe 2 5 extends vertically up from the horizontal branch pipe 32 at the same side of the 37, located over and practically within the chip-compartment A, and said burner 37 is regulated by a valve 36, located in the branch pipe 35. The pilot-burner 37 is utilized exclusively for igniting the chips in the said compartment A.

Mica doors 38 are preferably mounted to slide in suitable guides 39 at tLe front of the generator, as shoun in Fig. 2, wlzieh mica doors when closed cover an o ening in the generator, (shown in Fig. 3,) t .rough which opening access may be ained to tie burners 34 for tlze purpose 0 ligl.ting the same. These mica doors 38 are particular] useful in that the extent of the flame from the burners 34 may be noted uithout opening the generator, enabling a person to exteriorly regulate the lame by reason of tie exteriorly-located valves 33. A series of air-inlets 40 is also produced in tie front of tie generator, preferably near tl;e top, and each of tiese air-inlets -10 is normally closed by means of a pivoted cover 41 or its equivalent, so t'tat air in tie quantity needed to produce a blue flame and perfect combustion may be admitted to said generator A. Tl e air being admitted into the generatorover the el ipeompartment A, said air is not only heated in said generator, but mingles u ith tle smoke from t. e c ips, and the connningled smoke and heated air find a ready entrance into the smoke-house wien t.' e damper 23 in tie eonducting-pipe 21 is opened.

In operation, tlze smoke-house having been charged nith material to be treated and a suitable quantity of clips having been deposited in tl;e compartment A, the generator A and the smoke-louse B are closed. The burners 34 are now liglted, and wlcn tle leat in the smoke-house reacies from 140 to 175 l alzrenl'eit tlte pilot-burner 37 is ligl ted from the exterior of the generator A t'. rough one of tie air inlets or openings 40, and when the cl ips in the compartment A are ignited tle ilot-burner is turned oil, and tl.c hot air, mixed \l ith tle fumes of ti e burning wood, entering the smoke-house ill cook and smoke tl e meat to any desired degree. At tl e completion of the damper 20 in tl e by-pass C is opened, and tie damper 23 in t] c conductingpipe. 21 is closed. At t! e same time t] e ventilators 24 are opened, permitting t. e cold air to enter at the bottom portion of tie apartment of tlie smoke-house and force the accumulated smoke into tl'e ofi'take-pi e 19. In about five minutes the entire smells-apartment it ill be freed from smoke, rendering said apartment conveniently accessible for removing the smoked products and refilling. W] en the smoke-apartment is again filled, tle damper 20 is closed and the damper 23 process H e' opened, and the apparatus is rmdy for another operation.

, HavingtLus' described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In an apparatus for smoking meat, a smoke-house, a generator having Leating means, and provided with a compartment above the heatingmeans for containing cl.ips, means in connection nith the locating means 'for igniting the chips, and a conductor for the mingled smoke and heat leading from the generator to the smoke-house.

2. In an apparatus for smoking meat, a smoke-house, a generator having heating means and provided iith a compartment above the heating means for containing chips means in connection w ith the l.eating means for igniting the chips, a conducting-pipe leading trom the generator into the smoke-house, a damper for the said pipe, :1 ciiimney for tie smoke-house, a bypass connected .ltll said chimney and n itn the generator, and a damper for the bypass.

3. In an apparatus for smoking meat, av

smoke-house, a generator provided with a compartment adapted to contain clips and means for admitting and regulating tire admission of air into tile generator, a source of gas-supply, a series of burners leading from said source into tie generator, and a pilotburner located above said compartment and adapted to ignite tlie c; ips tiierein. 4. In an apparatus for smoking meat, a smoke-house, a generator provided with a compartment adapted to contain chips, a means for admitting and regulating the ad mission of air into said generator, :1 source of gas-supply, a series of burners leading from said source into the generator, a pilot-burner located above said compartment and adapted to ignite the chips therein, a chimney for tho smoke-house, a by-pass connecting the chimney with the generator,a damper in the by-pass, a conducting-pipe extending from the generator into the smoke-house, being adapted to conduct combined smoke and heated air therein, and a damper for the c0nducting-pipe.

5. In an apparatus for smoking meat, a smoke-house, a generator provided with a compartment adapted to contain chips, a means for admitting and for regulating the admission of air into said generator, at source of gas-supply, a series of burners leading from said source into the generator, a pint-burner located. above said compartment and adapted to ignite the chips therein, a chimney for the smoke-house, a bypass connecting the chimney with the generator, a damper in the hot air therein, a damper f or the cond ucting pipe means for regulating the supply of gas to the burners at the exteriorol' the g -nerator, and an illuminated movable panel for the generator, permittii gr the flame at the heating-burners to be rendered visible from the exterior of the generator.

6. In an apparatus for smoking meat, the combination with a Sll1()l(B-ll0USO, its chim ney, and ventilators at the bottom thereof, of a generator lor smoke and heat independent of the smoke-house, the said generator being provided with a compartment therein to contain chips and with valved openings for air located above the compart- ILQIll, a pilot-burner located at the upp r portion 01 said chip-compartment, heatingburners located below the compartment, a by-pass connecting the upper portion of the generator with the said chimney, a damper in said by-pass, a conducting-pipe for hot air and smoke leading from the generator into the smoke-house, a damper for the said conducting-pipe, ages-supply pipe, a controllingvalve therefor, and a thermostat-controller for the valve, leading into the smoke-house, and connections between the gas-supply pipe and the burners in the generator.

7. In an apparatus for smoking meat, the combination with a smoke-house, its chimney, and ventilators at the bottom thereof, of a generator for smoke and heat independent of the smoke-house, the said generator being provided with a compartment therein to contain chips and with valved openings l'or air, located above the compartment, 9 pilohburncr located at the upper portion of the said chip-compartment, heating-burners located below said compartment, a by-pass connecting the upper portion of th generator with the chimney of said smoke-house, a damper in said by-pass, a conductingpipe for hot air and smoke leading from the generator into the smoke-house, a damper for the said conducting-pipe, a gas-supply pipe, a controllingwalvc therefor, a thermostat controller for the valve leading into the smokehouse, connections between the gas-supply pipe and the burners in the genera or, transparent sliding panels located in said generator opposite the lower burners therein, a removable top for the generator, weighted chains connected with the said top, and pulleysnpports for the chains.

8. in an apparatus for smoking meat, a smoke and heat generator, a removable top therefor, counterbalaiice-weights connected with the said top, a smoktehouse ipdepondent of the enerator, at condnoting-pipe leading from said generator into the smokebyapass, a conducting-pipe extent ing from house, a chimney for the said smoke-house, a the generator into the smoke-house, being telescopic by-pass connected with said chim- 12 adapted to conduct combined smoke and-1 ney at the smoke-house and with the removable top of the generator, a damper for the I name to this specification in the presence of conduvtmg-pme, exterlorly loirated, a riamtwo subscriblng wimcsses.

)0! for the bywuss, and means for producin Y i 1 V legit and smoiw in the said generator uni ('HRIbIOPHER 5 ilirevting said mixed hot air and smoke to Witnesses:

the vonductmg-pipe. LEONARD E. '1 AYLOR In testimony whereof I have signed my GEORGE L. HI GGINs. 

